Joint simulator testing machine

ABSTRACT

A testing apparatus for a joint includes a support structure for engaging a first part a joint, an adapter for engaging a second part of the joint, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the joint relative to one another.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/900,254, filed Sep. 10, 2007, which is a continuation of Ser. No.11/504,240, filed Aug. 14, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,446, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 11/334,000, filed Jan. 18, 2006, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,131,338, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/974,364, filed Oct. 27, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,177, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/384,981, filed Mar. 10,2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,954, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to joint simulators for testingpurposes, and more specifically to joint simulators for testingcomponents of a joint in articulation relative to one another under aload.

Artificial or prosthetic devices for replacing defective joints inhumans have been the subject of extensive research and developmentefforts for many years, especially with regard to hip and knee joints,and more recently with spinal joints. In the design of such devices, itis advisable to subject the components of each new design to static anddynamic testing. Such testing is necessary to ensure that a particulardesign does not fail prematurely. Thus, a need exists within the medicalequipment industry to assess the endurance properties of components ofjoint replacements.

While machines suitable for testing artificial or prosthetic hip andknee joints are known and are available to provide a variety of loadingand articulation combinations, such machines have a variety ofshortcomings, including large size, significant cost (both of purchaseand maintenance), and slow speed. Moreover, many joint testing deviceshave been developed specifically for use with hip and knee joints, andin that respect are unsuitable for use with the growing number of spinalimplants. The need to retrofit or completely redesign such machines foruse with spinal implants increases the cost, and in some cases, thesize.

Some devices have addressed these shortcomings to some degree. Enduratec(Minnetonka, Minn.) manufactures a Spinal Disc Implant Wear TestingSystem as well as a Spinal Disc Implant Wear Testing System, therespective capabilities and features of which are summarized athttp://www.enduratec.com/testapp.cfm/tid/29 andhttp://www.enduratec.com/testapp.cfm/tid/27, respectively. Whileutilizing newer technologies to increase speed and minimize size, thesedevices are nevertheless costly and complicated in function for manyuses.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a joint simulatortesting machine that efficiently effects articulation of jointcomponents under a load. It is also an object of the invention toprovide a joint simulator testing machine that provides easy adjustmentof the articulation pattern. Other objects of the invention notexplicitly stated will be set forth and will be more clearly understoodin conjunction with the descriptions of the preferred embodimentsdisclosed hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preceding objects are achieved by the invention, which includes,among other aspects, a testing apparatus primarily for use in evaluatingperformance characteristics of a joint, and more particularly fortesting components of a joint in articulation relative to one anotherunder a load. Joints suitable for being evaluated by the testingapparatus include, for example, natural or artificial hip, knee, andintervertebral disc joints. As one example of a use of the testingapparatus of the present invention, the testing apparatus is illustratedin use with components of an artificial intervertebral disc, andspecifically, a ball and socket joint, including a lower baseplate and aball. The lower baseplate includes a semispherical pocket and the ballhas a corresponding semispherical surface or contour such that the ballis seatable in the pocket for rotation and angulation therein. Thetesting apparatus engages both the baseplate and the ball, and causesthe ball to articulate under a load and relative to the baseplate in thepocket to simulate conditions under which the ball and socket joint isdesired to perform.

More particularly, the testing apparatus includes a support structureincluding a testing block. A head adapter is positioned between a loadassembly (discussed below) and the testing block. One or more componentsof the device to be tested (referred to herein as the “test device”) areheld between the testing block and the head adapter, and, as will bedescribed below, are preferably compressed toward one another betweenthe testing block and the head adapter under a load applied by the loadassembly, and movement of the head adapter by a drive assembly(discussed below) causes the components to articulate against oneanother under the load.

At least one component of the test device is supported by the supportstructure. In the illustrated embodiment, a first component (e.g., thelower baseplate) of the test device is supported by the testing block.Further in the illustrated embodiment, a second component (e.g., theball) of the test device is positioned against the first component(e.g., the lower baseplate). Typically, the first and second componentsare to be tested in articulation against one another. Preferably, thesecond component (e.g., movable component) of the joint is disposedagainst and within a pocket of the first component (e.g., stationarycomponent), with the pocket closely accommodating the contour of thesecond component such that the second component is articulatable withinthe pocket. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball is positioned withits semispherical contour in the curvate pocket of the lower baseplatewith the semispherical pocket closely accommodating the semisphericalsurface of the ball for articulation thereagainst about a center ofrotation (represented by dot) at the center of the sphere defined by theball's semispherical surface, e.g., so that the ball can rotate andangulate with respect to the lower baseplate in a desired manner.

The head adapter serves as an extension of the second component (e.g.,the ball), in that loading of the head adapter in turn loads the secondcomponent, and an articulation of the head adapter effects an angularlyand positionally (e.g., translation movement as opposed to angulation orrotation) equivalent articulation of the second component. Thus, thehead adapter is positioned and configured to engage the second component(e.g., the ball) of the test device. In the illustrated embodiment, thehead adapter includes a cap and a stem that extends downwardly from thecap and has a lower end coupled to an engagement surface, e.g., a flatupper surface, of the ball. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of thestem is aligned with the center of rotation of the ball. Alsopreferably, the stem and ball are fixed to one another in thisconfiguration and/or coupled in this configuration so that relativerotation therebetween is prevented during operation of the testingmachine as described below.

With regard to compressing the components of the test device toward oneanother between the testing block and the head adapter under a load, aload assembly is configured in load applying relation to the headadapter (and accordingly configured in load applying relation to thesecond component (e.g., the ball) through the head adapter). Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the load assembly includes anair compressor disposed to apply a compressive load against the headadapter. A load adapter attached to the air compressor has a lowersurface that is positioned against an upper surface of the cap and,during testing, the load generated by the air compressor is appliedthrough the load adapter and against the upper surface of the cap anddirected toward the apex of the pocket of the baseplate. Accordingly, atleast a portion of the compressive load is transmitted through the stemof the head adapter, and against the component of the device to betested that sits against the head adapter. In the illustratedembodiment, the compressive load is applied to the ball through thestem, and the direction of loading is preferably aligned with the centerof rotation at the center of the sphere defined by the spherical contourof the ball.

Typically, the components of the test device are to be tested inarticulation against one another under the compressive load, and in suchembodiments, the head adapter is manipulated to, and configured to,facilitate the desired articulation. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the ball is to be tested in articulation in and against thepocket of the lower baseplate about the center of rotation of the ball,because this motion mimics the articulation that the ball will undergoafter the artificial intervertebral disc (of which the ball and lowerbaseplate are components) is implanted. Accordingly, as will bedescribed below, the head adapter in the illustrated embodiment is movedby the testing apparatus in one or more articulation patterns that causethe ball to articulate as desired in the pocket of the lower baseplate,and is configured to maintain the desired center of rotation at thecenter of the sphere defined by the semispherical contour of the ballduring such motion. More particularly with regard to the configurationof the head adapter, in order to maintain the testing center of rotationat the center of the sphere defined by the spherical contour of theball, the upper surface of the cap of the head adapter is convex, havinga semispherical surface or contour that is concentric with thesemispherical contour of the ball (and thus with the center of rotationof the ball). Correspondingly, the lower surface (which contacts theupper surface of the cap) of the load adapter of the air compressor isconcave, preferably having a semispherical surface or contour thatmatches the contour of the upper surface of the cap. Thus, the lowersurface of the load adapter forms a pocket within which the uppersurface of the cap can articulate about the center of rotation.Therefore, during testing, the load generated by the air compressor istransmitted through the load adapter and against the convex uppersurface of the cap, and at least a portion of the load is transmittedthrough the stem of the head adapter, and against the ball, and isaligned with the center of rotation. And, therefore, articulation of thehead adapter as described below causes an angularly equivalentarticulation of the ball (i.e., the head adapter-ball combinationarticulates as a unitary element) about the center of rotation under theat least a portion of the load.

With regard to movement of the head adapter causing the components ofthe test device to articulate against one another under the load, adrive assembly is configured in articulating driving relation with thehead adapter (and accordingly configured in articulating drivingrelation with the ball through the head adapter). For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the drive assembly includes a motor disposed toapply forces that move the head adapter, which in turn move the ball.The driving of the drive assembly effects an articulation of the headadapter about the center of rotation, which in turn effects anarticulation of the ball in the semispherical pocket of the baseplateabout the center of rotation. (The articulations are effected under theloading of the load assembly if the loading assembly is applying aload.) More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, as discussedbelow, the head adapter is caused to rock forward and backward in a tiltplane parallel to the Y-Z plane about the center of rotation of theball, and to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the stem, which isaligned with the center of rotation. Preferably, the angle swept by thelongitudinal axis of the stem in the tilt plane is approximately 20degrees, and the amount of rotation of the stem about its longitudinalaxis is approximately 20 degrees total (10 degrees in one direction, and10 degrees in the opposite direction), although it should be understoodthat the dimensions of the testing apparatus components and theirspatial relationships to one another can be adjusted to vary theseangles to effect other desired articulation patterns.

More particularly in the illustrated embodiment, a rotatable wheel iscoupled to the motor and has an outer region spaced from an axis ofrotation of the wheel. For example, preferably, a first or primary driveshaft of the motor has a first end mechanically coupled to the motor anda second end fixed to a central portion or region (preferably, a center)of the wheel such that a longitudinal axis of the primary drive shaft(about which the primary drive shaft rotates) is collinear with the axisof rotation of the wheel and perpendicularly intersects the longitudinalaxis of the load adapter of the air compressor. A second or secondarydrive shaft has a first end coupled to the outer region of the wheel(and as such the first end of the second drive shaft is spaced from thecenter of the wheel), and a second end fixed to a rim of the headadapter. A longitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft is angled withrespect to the axis of rotation of the wheel (also in this embodimentthe longitudinal axis of the primary drive shaft), i.e., is convergentwith the axis of rotation of the wheel toward the head adapter.

Accordingly, the second drive shaft is mechanically coupled in angularoffset relation to the first drive shaft, and more particularly, thelongitudinal axis of the second drive shaft is mechanically coupled inangular offset relation to the longitudinal axis (axis of rotation) ofthe first drive shaft, and to the axis of rotation of the wheel. Themagnitude of the angular offset determines the articulation pattern ofthe head adapter and thus the articulation pattern of the ball. Forexample, preferably, the angular offset (e.g., angle of convergence)between the longitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft and the axisof rotation of the wheel (also in this embodiment the longitudinal axisof the primary drive shaft) is approximately 10 degrees, which causesthe angle swept by the longitudinal axis of the stem in the tilt plane(during testing) to be approximately 20 degrees. In addition, as will bedescribed below, the angular offset causes the stem during testing tosweep an angle of 20 degrees as it rotates about the longitudinal axisof the stem. Inasmuch as in this embodiment the lower end of the stem ispreferably coupled to the ball so that they are immovable relative toone another, the angular offset of 10 degrees in turn causes the ball toangulate in a range of 20 degrees (with some variation as noted above)in the tilt plane during testing, and to rotate in a range of 20 degrees(with some variation as noted above) as it rotates about a longitudinalaxis of the ball that is collinear with the longitudinal axis of thestem.

More particularly with respect to the coupling of the first end of thesecondary drive shaft to the outer region of the wheel, the couplingpreferably comprises a bore and a bearing fixed in the bore, throughwhich bearing the secondary drive shaft passes. The bore is preferablyangled to accommodate the desired approximate angular offsetrelationship between the longitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaftand the rotation axis of the wheel. Also, for reasons described below,the second drive shaft is longitudinally translatably and longitudinallyrotatably coupled to the outer region of the wheel. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the bearing permits linear translation of thesecondary drive shaft within the bore (i.e., along the longitudinal axisof the secondary drive shaft) and rotation of the secondary drive shaft(about the longitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft) with respectto the bore.

Accordingly, with regard to the motor applying forces that move the headadapter in the illustrated embodiment, the motor drives the primarydrive shaft to rotate it about the longitudinal axis of the primarydrive shaft, thus causing the wheel to rotate about its rotation axispassing through its center. The interference between the sides of thebore and the first end of the secondary drive shaft thus pushes thefirst end of the secondary drive shaft along with the bore (with thesecondary drive shaft rotating with respect to the bore about thelongitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft as necessary). The outerregion of the wheel accordingly travels in a circular path around therotation axis of the wheel. The movement of the first end of thesecondary drive shaft correspondingly (being in fixed relation to thesecond end of the secondary drive shaft) moves the second end of thesecondary drive shaft, which correspondingly (being in fixed relation tothe rim of the head adapter) moves the head adapter.

As the secondary drive shaft moves through its possible positions on thecircular path, the head adapter (and in this embodiment the ball aswell, inasmuch as they are fixed to one another in the describedconcentric configuration) is caused to rock forward and backward in atilt plane, that is parallel to the Y-Z plane, about the center ofrotation of the ball, and simultaneously to rotate about thelongitudinal axis of the stem, which is aligned with the center ofrotation. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, in which thelongitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft is angled approximately10 degrees with respect to the rotation axis of the wheel, the stemsweeps through approximately 20 degrees of tilt angulation about thecenter of rotation (approximately 10 degrees backward and 10 degreesforward), and the head adapter twice rotates about the longitudinal axisof the stem approximately 20 degrees (10 degrees clockwise, then 20degrees counterclockwise, and then 10 degrees clockwise again). Itshould be understood that manipulations of the head adapter effect thesame manipulations on the second component (e.g., the ball) when theyare fixed to one another in this concentric configuration. Thus, theball has swept through approximately 20 degrees of tilt angulation inthe tilt plane about the center of rotation (approximately 10 degreesbackward and 10 degrees forward), and the ball has twice rotated, abouta longitudinal axis of the ball that is collinear with the longitudinalaxis of the stem, approximately 20 degrees (10 degrees clockwise, then20 degrees counterclockwise, and then 10 degrees clockwise again).

While the articulation pattern of the ball has been described asangulation about the center of rotation in a tilt plane parallel to theY-Z plane during rotation about a longitudinal axis of the ball thatremains in the tilt plane (as that longitudinal axis angulates in thetilt plane with the ball during the angulation of the ball), it shouldbe understood that the angulation of the articulation can alternativelybe described as being in two planes that are, for example, perpendicularto one another and intersect with one another at a line of intersectionthat extends in the Z direction and is perpendicular to the axis ofrotation of the wheel. Therefore, the articulation pattern would includeangulation about the center of rotation in a first plane (e.g., a firstof those planes), during angulation about the center of rotation in asecond plane (e.g., a second of those planes), during rotation about alongitudinal axis of the second component (e.g., the ball) that remainsin a third plane that intersects the first and second planes at a lineof intersection that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of thewheel (e.g., the third plane can be the above described tilt plane thatis parallel to the Y-Z plane and include the axis of rotation of thewheel). It should be understood that these examples of alternategeometric frameworks are provided to illustrate the utility of theinvention to enable measurement of the joint performance, and/or ensuresufficient angulation and/or rotation of the joint components, inmultiple planes and axes using appropriate mathematical equations toquantify the relationship of the angulations and rotations relative tothe rotation axis of the wheel and the other geometric reference pointsdiscussed, and that other geometric frameworks can be referenced asnecessary to achieve desired performance, measurements, or evaluations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-d show a testing apparatus of the present invention inperspective, front, side, and top views, respectively.

FIG. 1 e shows a magnified view of a testing support block and testingblock of the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1 a-d.

FIGS. 2 a-f show a baseplate component of a test device suitable forbeing tested by the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1 a-d, in topperspective, bottom perspective, top, bottom, front, and side views,respectively.

FIGS. 3 a-c show a ball component of a test device suitable for beingtested by the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1 a-d, in perspective, top, andside views, respectively.

FIGS. 4 a-e show certain elements of the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1a-d with a first end of a secondary drive shaft of the testing apparatusat a top position, in perspective, front, right side, left side, and topviews, respectively.

FIGS. 5 a-e show certain elements of the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1a-d with a first end of a secondary drive shaft of the testing apparatusat a right position, in perspective, front, right side, left side, andtop views, respectively.

FIGS. 6 a-e show certain elements of the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1a-d with a first end of a secondary drive shaft of the testing apparatusat a bottom position, in perspective, front, right side, left side, andtop views, respectively.

FIGS. 7 a-e show certain elements of the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1a-d with a first end of a secondary drive shaft of the testing apparatusat a left position, in perspective, front, right side, left side, andtop views, respectively.

FIGS. 8 a-b show a tank and an o-ring of the present invention in usewith the testing apparatus of FIGS. 1 a-d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood at theoutset that persons skilled in the art may modify the invention hereindescribed while achieving the functions and results of the invention.Accordingly, the descriptions that follow are to be understood asillustrative and exemplary of specific structures, aspects and featureswithin the broad scope of the invention and not as limiting of suchbroad scope. Like numbers refer to similar features of like elementsthroughout.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 a-d, a preferred embodiment of a testingapparatus of the present invention is shown in perspective, front, side,and top views, respectively. The illustrated testing apparatus 100 isprovided primarily for use in evaluating performance characteristics ofa joint, and more particularly for testing components of a joint inarticulation relative to one another under a load. Joints suitable forbeing evaluated by the testing apparatus include, for example, naturalor artificial hip, knee, and intervertebral disc joints. As one exampleof a use of the testing apparatus of the present invention, the testingapparatus 100 is illustrated in use with components of an artificialintervertebral disc, and specifically, a ball and socket joint,including a lower baseplate 200 (shown in top perspective, bottomperspective, top, bottom, front, and side views in FIGS. 2 a-f,respectively) and a ball 300 (shown in perspective, top, and side viewsin FIGS. 3 a-c, respectively) of the artificial intervertebral discillustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/256,160 (filed Sep.26, 2002) entitled “Artificial Intervertebral Disc Having LimitedRotation Using a Captured Ball and Socket Joint With a Solid Ball andCompression Locking Post” (hereinafter referred to as “the '160application”), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. As discussed in greater detail in the '160 application, and asshown in FIGS. 2 a-f and 3 a-c, the lower baseplate 200 includes asemispherical pocket 202 and the ball 300 has a correspondingsemispherical surface or contour 302 such that the ball 300 is seatablein the pocket 202 for rotation and angulation therein. The testingapparatus 100 engages both the baseplate 200 and the ball 300, andcauses the ball 300 to articulate under a load and relative to thebaseplate 200 in the pocket 202 to simulate conditions under which theball and socket joint is desired to perform.

For purposes of explanation only, and without limiting the structure ofthe present invention, the elements of the illustrated testing apparatusare discussed with reference to an X direction, a Y directionperpendicular to the X direction, and a Z direction perpendicular to theX direction and perpendicular to the Y direction (referred to herein asan “X-Y-Z reference frame”). Accordingly, an X-Y plane is defined as theplane extending in the X direction and the Y direction, and whichextends perpendicular to the Z direction. And, accordingly, a Y-Z planeis defined as the plane extending in the Y direction and the Zdirection, and which extends perpendicular to the X direction. And,accordingly, an X-Z plane is defined as the plane extending in the Xdirection and the Z direction, and which extends perpendicular to the Ydirection.

More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 1 a-d, the testing apparatus 100includes a support structure including, for example, a support plate 102that extends parallel to the X-Y plane and has a thickness in the Zdirection, a support block 104 mounted on the support plate 102, and atesting block 106 mounted on the support block 104. An adapter, or headadapter 110, is positioned between a load assembly (discussed below) andthe testing block 106 (in the illustrated embodiment, the head adapter110 is positioned above the testing block 106). One or more componentsof the device to be tested (referred to herein as the “test device”) areheld between the testing block 106 and the head adapter 110, and, aswill be described below, are preferably compressed toward one anotherbetween the testing block 106 and the head adapter 110 under a loadapplied by the load assembly, and movement of the head adapter 110 by adrive assembly (discussed below) causes the components to articulateagainst one another under the load.

Accordingly, at least one component of the test device is supported bythe support structure, particularly in the illustrated embodiment by thetesting block 106. In the illustrated embodiment, a first component(e.g., the lower baseplate 200) of the test device is supported by thetesting block 106. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 e (which showsa magnified view of the testing block 106 on the support block 104), andreferring again to FIGS. 2 a-f, the upper surface 108 of the testingblock 106 is shaped to accommodate the lower surface 206 of the lowerbaseplate 200 so that the lower baseplate 200 is maintained in a desiredposition on the testing block 106 during the testing process. Forexample, as discussed in greater detail in the '160 application, thelower baseplate 200 of the artificial intervertebral disc has a convexdome 208 and a plurality of spikes 204 for engagement with a vertebralbody when the artificial disc is implanted into an intervertebral space.Accordingly, in this example, the upper surface 108 of the testing block106 is shaped to receive the convex dome 208 and the spikes 204 when thelower baseplate 200 is placed thereon. More particularly, the uppersurface 108 has a central recess 105 having a perimeter larger than thatof the convex dome 208, and recesses 107 dimensioned to accept thespikes 204; this helps maintain the lower baseplate 200 on the testingblock 106 during the testing process. Preferably, the testing block 106is formed from polyethylene.

Further in the illustrated embodiment, and referring again to FIGS. 3a-c, a second component (e.g., the ball 300) of the test device ispositioned against the first component (e.g., the lower baseplate 200).Typically, the first and second components are to be tested inarticulation against one another. (It should be understood that althoughthe testing apparatus of the present invention is illustrated anddiscussed with regard to testing two device components that articulateagainst one another under a load, the testing apparatus of the presentinvention can be adapted within the scope of the present invention totest one component articulating and/or loaded against a testing block,or to test more than one component articulating and/or loaded against atesting block and/or one or more other components.) Preferably, thesecond component (e.g., movable component) of the joint is disposedagainst and within a pocket of the first component (e.g., stationarycomponent), with the pocket closely accommodating the contour of thesecond component such that the second component is articulatable withinthe pocket. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball 300 is positionedwith its semispherical contour 302 in the curvate pocket 202 of thelower baseplate 200 with the semispherical pocket 202 closelyaccommodating the semispherical surface 302 of the ball 300 forarticulation thereagainst about a center of rotation (represented by dot301) at the center of the sphere defined by the ball's semisphericalsurface 302, e.g., so that the ball 300 can rotate and angulate withrespect to the lower baseplate 200 in a desired manner.

The head adapter (e.g., 110) serves as an extension of the secondcomponent (e.g., the ball 300), in that loading of the head adapter 110in turn loads the second component, and an articulation of the headadapter 110 effects an angularly and positionally (e.g., translationmovement as opposed to angulation or rotation) equivalent articulationof the second component. Thus, the head adapter (e.g., 110) ispositioned and configured to engage the second component (e.g., the ball300) of the test device. In the illustrated embodiment, the head adapter110 includes a cap 114 and a stem 112 that extends downwardly (e.g.,depends centrally) from the cap 114 and has a lower end coupled to anengagement surface, e.g., a flat upper surface 304, of the ball 300.Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the stem 112 is aligned with thecenter of rotation 301. Also preferably, the stem 112 and ball 300 arefixed to one another in this configuration and/or coupled in thisconfiguration so that relative rotation therebetween is prevented (e.g.,by the ball 300 having a slot (not shown) into which a corresponding key(not shown) on the stem 112 fits) during operation of the testingmachine 100 as described below. It should be understood that while thestem 112 is shown as cylindrical, it can take any other suitable shape(e.g., tapered and/or curvate sides) without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. It should also be understood that while theillustrated embodiment functions such that the ball 300 undergoesangularly and positionally equivalent articulations as those of the headadapter 110, embodiments having head adapters that are shaped,dynamically altered, or otherwise configured to provide positionallyequivalent or positionally non-equivalent, and/or angularly equivalentor angularly non-equivalent (but preferably predictable) movements arealso contemplated by the present invention. That is, in someembodiments, an articulation of the head adapter effects an articulationof the second component (e.g., the ball 300) that differs from thearticulation of the head adapter because the head adapter is, e.g.,shaped or dynamically altered during testing to exaggerate, multiply,enhance, diminish, decrease, vary, make random, or otherwise adjust thearticulation parameters of the second component to differ from thearticulation of the head adapter.

With regard to compressing the components of the test device toward oneanother between the testing block 106 and the head adapter 110 under aload, a load assembly is configured in load applying relation to thehead adapter (e.g., 110) (and accordingly configured in load applyingrelation to the second component (e.g., the ball 300) through the headadapter). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the load assemblyincludes a compression load applying device, or compression loader,e.g., an air compressor 122, disposed to apply a compressive loadagainst the head adapter 110. More particularly, a first mountingbracket 119 is fixed to the support plate 102 and supports the aircompressor 122. A load adapter 118 attached to the air compressor 122has a longitudinal axis aligned with the apex of the pocket 202 of thelower baseplate 200 when the lower baseplate 200 is supported on thetesting block 106. The load adapter 118 further has a lower surface 120that is positioned against an upper surface 116 of the cap 114 and,during testing, the load generated by the air compressor 122 is appliedthrough the load adapter 118 and against the upper surface 116 of thecap 114 and directed toward the apex of the pocket 202 of the baseplate200 (the direction of loading being collinear with a plane parallel tothe Y-Z plane). (It should be understood that the loading can be appliedin other directions, and/or multiple loads from one or more directionscan be applied, without departing from the scope of the invention.Further, it should be understood that although the illustratedembodiment discloses testing components of a joint in compressionagainst one another, embodiments testing components of a joint undertension loading are also contemplated by the present invention.)Accordingly, at least a portion of the compressive load (the portionbeing dictated by the angle at which the longitudinal axis of the stem112 is angularly misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of theload adapter 118 at a given articulated position of the head adapter 110during testing) is transmitted through the stem 112 of the head adapter110, and against the component of the device to be tested that sitsagainst the head adapter 110. In the illustrated embodiment, thecompressive load is applied to the ball 300 through the stem 112, andthe direction of loading is preferably aligned with the center ofrotation (represented by dot 301) at the center of the sphere defined bythe spherical contour 302 of the ball 300. It should be understood thatembodiments in which the direction of loading is not aligned with thecenter of rotation of the second component are also contemplated by thepresent invention.

Typically, the components of the test device are to be tested inarticulation against one another under the compressive load, and in suchembodiments, the head adapter 110 is manipulated to, and configured to,facilitate the desired articulation. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the ball 300 is to be tested in articulation in and againstthe pocket 202 of the lower baseplate 200 about the center of rotation301, because this motion mimics the articulation that the ball 300 willundergo after the artificial intervertebral disc (of which the ball 300and lower baseplate 200 are components) is implanted. Accordingly, aswill be described below, the head adapter 110 in the illustratedembodiment is moved by the testing apparatus 100 in one or more motionpatterns that cause the ball 300 to articulate as desired in the pocket202 of the lower baseplate 200, and is configured to maintain thedesired center of rotation 301 at the center of the sphere defined bythe semispherical contour 302 of the ball 300 during such motion. Moreparticularly with regard to the configuration of the head adapter 110,in order to maintain the testing center of rotation 301 at the center ofthe sphere defined by the spherical contour 302 of the ball 300, theupper surface 116 of the cap 114 of the head adapter 100 is convex,having a semispherical surface or contour that is concentric with thesemispherical contour 302 of the ball 300 (and thus with the center ofrotation 301). Correspondingly, the lower surface 120 (which contactsthe upper surface 116 of the cap 114) of the load adapter 118 of the aircompressor 122 is concave, preferably having a semispherical surface orcontour that matches the contour of the upper surface 116 of the cap114. Thus, the lower surface 120 of the load adapter 118 forms a pocketwithin which the upper surface 116 of the cap 114 can articulate aboutthe center of rotation 301. Therefore, during testing, the loadgenerated by the air compressor 122 is transmitted through the loadadapter 118 and against the convex upper surface 116 of the cap 114, andat least a portion of the load is transmitted through the stem 112 ofthe head adapter 110, and against the ball 300, and is aligned with thecenter of rotation 301. And, therefore, articulation of the head adapter110 as described below causes an angularly equivalent articulation ofthe ball 300 (i.e., the head adapter 110-ball 300 combinationarticulates as a unitary element) about the center of rotation 301 underthe at least a portion of the load (the portion being dictated by theangle at which the longitudinal axis of the stem 112 is angularlymisaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the load adapter 118at a given articulated position of the head adapter 110 during testing).It should be noted that while the lower surface 120 preferably has acontour matching that of upper surface 116, it is not necessary forproper operation of the testing apparatus 100, so long as the desiredmovements described herein are possible. For example, the lower surface120 need not be flush against the upper surface 116 (causing continuoussurface-to-surface contact during testing), but rather, e.g., the lowersurface 120 could have a contour that is more concave than that of theupper surface 116 (or, e.g., be a cylindrical recess), resulting in acircle of contact, rather than an area of contact, between the uppersurface 116 and the head adapter 110 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. It should be understood that in some embodimentsof the present invention, a head adapter element may not be necessary,in that, e.g., the second component may be couplable directly to a driveassembly of the present invention (described below), and that inembodiments employing a head adapter element, the element need not beshaped as described herein, but rather can have any shape orconfiguration that effects desired movement of the second componentand/or serves as a manipulatable extension of the second component toenable manipulation of the second component.

With regard to movement of the head adapter 110 causing the componentsof the test device to articulate against one another under the load, adrive assembly is configured in articulating driving relation with thehead adapter 110 (and accordingly configured in articulating drivingrelation with the ball 300 through the head adapter 110). For example,in the illustrated embodiment, the drive assembly includes a motionapplying device, e.g., a motor 124, disposed to apply forces that movethe head adapter 110, which in turn move the ball 300. In someembodiments, motion control structures (e.g., panels, flanges,protuberances, or the like), are disposed on the head adapter 110, onthe support plate 102, and/or supported elsewhere on the testingapparatus 110, to prevent undesirable movement of the head adapter 110,so that the head adapter 110 moves in a desired manner to effect thedesired movement of the device components to be tested.

The driving of the drive assembly effects an articulation of the headadapter 110 about the center of rotation 301, which in turn effects anarticulation of the ball 300 in the semispherical pocket 202 of thebaseplate 200 about the center of rotation 301. (The articulations areeffected under the loading of the load assembly if the loading assemblyis applying a load.) (It should be understood that while the illustratedembodiment functions such that the ball 300 undergoes angularlyequivalent articulations as those of the head adapter 110, embodimentshaving head adapters that are shaped or dynamically altered or otherwiseconfigured to provide positionally equivalent or positionallynon-equivalent, and/or angularly equivalent or angularly non-equivalent(but preferably predictable) movements are also contemplated by thepresent invention.) More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, asdiscussed below, the head adapter 110 is caused to rock forward andbackward in a tilt plane parallel to the Y-Z plane about the center ofrotation 301, and to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the stem 112,which is aligned with the center of rotation 301. Preferably, the angleswept by the longitudinal axis of the stem 112 in the tilt plane isapproximately 20 degrees, and the amount of rotation of the stem 112about its longitudinal axis is approximately 20 degrees total (10degrees in one direction, and 10 degrees in the opposite direction),although it should be understood that the dimensions of the testingapparatus components and their spatial relationships to one another canbe adjusted to vary these angles to effect other desired articulationpatterns.

More particularly in the illustrated embodiment, a second mountingbracket 123 is fixed to the support plate 102 and supports the motor124. A rotatable wheel 128 is coupled to the motor 124 and has an outerregion spaced from an axis of rotation of the wheel 128. For example,preferably, a first or primary drive shaft 126 of the motor 124 has afirst end mechanically coupled to the motor 124 and a second end fixedto a central portion or region (preferably, a center) of the wheel 128such that a longitudinal axis of the primary drive shaft 126 (aboutwhich the primary drive shaft 126 rotates) is collinear with the axis ofrotation of the wheel 128 and perpendicularly intersects thelongitudinal axis of the load adapter 118 of the air compressor 122. Asecond or secondary drive shaft 130 has a first end coupled to the outerregion of the wheel 128 (and as such the first end of the second driveshaft 130 is spaced from the center of the wheel 128), and a second endfixed to a rim 136 of the head adapter 110. A longitudinal axis of thesecondary drive shaft 130 is angled with respect to the axis of rotationof the wheel 128 (also in this embodiment the longitudinal axis of theprimary drive shaft 126), i.e., is convergent with the axis of rotationof the wheel 128 toward the head adapter 110).

Accordingly, the second drive shaft 130 is mechanically coupled inangular offset relation to the first drive shaft, and more particularly,the longitudinal axis of the second drive shaft 130 is mechanicallycoupled in angular offset relation to the longitudinal axis (axis ofrotation) of the first drive shaft, and to the axis of rotation of thewheel 128. (It should be understood that the present invention is notlimited to any particular numbers, types, or configurations of driveshafts, wheels, or other driving elements or mechanisms, and that theangular offset relation between the axis of rotation and a controllingaxis of the element (e.g., second drive shaft 130) connected between therotating element (e.g., wheel 128) and the adapter element (e.g., headadapter 110), or the second component (e.g., the ball 300) directly, canbe established in any other suitable manner without departing from thescope of the present invention). The magnitude of the angular offsetdetermines the articulation pattern of the head adapter 110 and thus thearticulation pattern of the ball 300. For example, preferably, theangular offset (e.g., angle of convergence) between the longitudinalaxis of the secondary drive shaft 130 and the axis of rotation of thewheel 128 (also in this embodiment the longitudinal axis of the primarydrive shaft 126) is approximately 10 degrees, which causes the angleswept by the longitudinal axis of the stem 112 in the tilt plane (duringtesting) to be approximately 20 degrees (although in some embodimentsthe actual swept angle varies slightly from 20 degrees by an amountdictated by the spatial relationships of the components of the testingapparatus 100 during the testing procedure). As will be described below,the varying of the swept angle is accommodated by the clearances of thecoupling of the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130 to the outerregion of the wheel 128. In addition, as will be described below, theangular offset (e.g., angle of convergence) between the longitudinalaxis of the secondary drive shaft 130 and the rotation axis of the wheel128 (also in this embodiment the longitudinal axis of the primary driveshaft 126) of approximately 10 degrees causes the stem 112 duringtesting to sweep an angle of 20 degrees as it rotates about thelongitudinal axis of the stem 112. Inasmuch as in this embodiment thelower end of the stem 112 is preferably coupled to the ball 300 so thatthey are immovable relative to one another, the angular offset of 10degrees in turn causes the ball 300 to angulate in a range of 20 degrees(with some variation as noted above) in the tilt plane during testing,and to rotate in a range of 20 degrees (with some variation as notedabove) as it rotates about a longitudinal axis of the ball 300 that iscollinear with the longitudinal axis of the stem 112.

More particularly with respect to the coupling of the first end of thesecondary drive shaft 130 to the outer region of the wheel 128, thecoupling preferably comprises a bore 138 and a bearing 140 fixed in thebore 138, through which bearing 140 the secondary drive shaft 130passes. The bore 138 is preferably angled to accommodate the desiredapproximate angular offset relationship between the longitudinal axis ofthe secondary drive shaft 130 and the rotation axis of the wheel 128(also in this embodiment the longitudinal axis of the primary driveshaft 126). For example, if the longitudinal axis of the secondary driveshaft 130 is designed to be angled approximately 10 degrees with respectto the rotation axis of the wheel 128 during testing, the bore 138 ispreferably formed at a 10 degree angle with respect to the rotation axisof the wheel 128. Therefore, the secondary drive shaft 130 fits throughthe bore 138 to couple the secondary drive shaft 130 to the wheel 128 atthe desired angle. To accommodate the fact that the angle between thelongitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft 130 and the rotation axisof the wheel 128 varies slightly during operation of the testingapparatus 100 in some embodiments (dictated by the spatial relationshipsof the components of the testing apparatus 100), appropriate clearanceis established between the secondary drive shaft 130 and the bearing140, so that as the angle between the longitudinal axis of the secondarydrive shaft 130 and the longitudinal axis of the bore 140 slightlyvaries during testing, the bore 140 will still accommodate the secondarydrive shaft 130. Also, for reasons described below, the second driveshaft 130 is longitudinally translatably and longitudinally rotatablycoupled to the outer region of the wheel 128. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the bearing 140 permits linear translation ofthe secondary drive shaft 130 within the bore 140 (i.e., along thelongitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft 130) and rotation of thesecondary drive shaft 130 (about the longitudinal axis of the secondarydrive shaft 130) with respect to the bore 140.

Accordingly, with regard to the motor 124 applying forces that move thehead adapter 110 in the illustrated embodiment, the motor 124 drives theprimary drive shaft 126 to rotate it about the longitudinal axis of theprimary drive shaft 126, thus causing the wheel 128 to rotate about itsrotation axis passing through its center (e.g., in the clockwisedirection when viewing the face 129 of the wheel 128). The interferencebetween the sides of the bore 140 and the first end of the secondarydrive shaft 130 thus pushes the first end of the secondary drive shaft130 along with the bore 140 (with the secondary drive shaft 130 rotatingwith respect to the bore 140 about the longitudinal axis of thesecondary drive shaft 130 as necessary). The outer region of the wheel128 accordingly travels in a circular path around the rotation axis ofthe wheel 128 (also in this embodiment the longitudinal axis of thefirst drive shaft 128). The movement of the first end of the secondarydrive shaft 130 correspondingly (being in fixed relation to the secondend of the secondary drive shaft 130) moves the second end of thesecondary drive shaft 130, which correspondingly (being in fixedrelation to the rim 136 of the head adapter 110) moves the head adapter110.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a-e, 5 a-e, 6 a-e, and 7 a-e, for purposes ofexplanation, the motion of the head adapter 110 will be discussed withreference to four of the possible positions, along the circular path, ofthe first end of the secondary drive shaft 130 with respect to therotation axis of the wheel 128 (also in this embodiment the longitudinalaxis of the primary drive shaft 126) (with the understanding that thefirst end of the secondary drive shaft 130 moves smoothly andcontinuously from each position on the path to the next as the wheel 128turns during the testing procedure). Referencing the positions of thefirst end of the secondary drive shaft 130 on the face 129 of the wheel128 as corresponding to numbers on a clock for purposes of explanationonly, a top position of the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130(shown in FIGS. 4 a-e) will be discussed as the position of the firstend of the secondary drive shaft 130 when the bore 138 is at the twelveo'clock position on the face 129 of the wheel 128. And, a right positionof the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130 (shown in FIGS. 5 a-e)will be discussed as the position of the first end of the secondarydrive shaft 130 when the bore 138 is at the three o'clock position onthe face 129 of the wheel 128. And, a bottom position of the first endof the secondary drive shaft 130 (shown in FIGS. 6 a-e) will bediscussed as the position of the first end of the secondary drive shaft130 when the bore 138 is at the six o'clock position on the face 129 ofthe wheel 128. And, a left position of the first end of the secondarydrive shaft 130 (shown in FIGS. 7 a-e) will be discussed as the positionof the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130 when the bore 138 isat the nine o'clock position on the face 129 of the wheel 128.

As the secondary drive shaft 130 moves through its possible positions onthe circular path, the head adapter 110 (and in this embodiment the ball300 as well, inasmuch as they are fixed to one another in the describedconcentric configuration) is caused to rock forward and backward in atilt plane, that is parallel to the Y-Z plane, about the center ofrotation 301 of the ball 300, and simultaneously to rotate about thelongitudinal axis of the stem 112, which is aligned with the center ofrotation 301. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 4 a-e, when the firstend of the secondary drive shaft 130 is in the top position, the headadapter 110 is at a backwardmost position, in which the stem 112 istilted to its farthest point away from the wheel 128 in the tilt plane(e.g., tilted approximately 10 degrees backward, with respect to the Zdirection, in the tilt plane). As the first end of the secondary driveshaft 130 moves from the top position to the right position, the headadapter 110 tilts forward and begins rotating clockwise about thelongitudinal axis of the stem 112 (when viewing the longitudinal axis ofthe stem 112 toward the ball 300). As shown in FIGS. 5 a-e, when thefirst end of the secondary drive shaft 130 reaches the right position,the head adapter 110 is approximately vertical (parallel to the Zdirection), but rotated clockwise about the longitudinal axis of thestem 112 through half of the rotation angle that it will ultimatelysweep (e.g., the head adapter 110 is rotated at approximately 10 degreesclockwise from its original rotational orientation). As the first end ofthe secondary drive shaft 130 moves from the right position to thebottom position, the head adapter 110 tilts farther forward and beginsrotating counterclockwise about the longitudinal axis of the stem 112(when viewing the longitudinal axis of the stem 112 toward the ball300). As shown in FIGS. 6 a-e, when the first end of the secondary driveshaft 130 reaches the bottom position, the head adapter 110 is at aforwardmost position, in which the stem 112 is tilted to its farthestpoint toward the wheel 128 in the tilt plane (e.g., tilted approximately10 degrees forward, with respect to the Z direction, in the tilt plane),and has returned to the rotational orientation it occupied at thebackwardmost position. As the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130moves from the bottom position to the left position, the head adapter110 begins tilting backward and continues rotating counterclockwiseabout the longitudinal axis of the stem 112 (when viewing thelongitudinal axis of the stem 112 toward the ball 300). As shown inFIGS. 7 a-e, when the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130 reachesthe left position, the head adapter 110 is again approximately vertical(parallel to the Z direction), but rotated counterclockwise about thelongitudinal axis of the stem 112 through half of the rotation anglethat it ultimately sweeps (e.g., the head adapter 110 is rotated atapproximately 10 degrees counterclockwise from its original rotationalorientation). As the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130 movesfrom the left position to the top position, the head adapter 110 tiltsfarther backward and begins rotating clockwise about the longitudinalaxis of the stem 112 (when viewing the longitudinal axis of the stem 112toward the ball 300). As shown in FIGS. 4 a-e, when the first end of thesecondary drive shaft 130 reaches the top position, the head adapter 110has returned to the backwardmost position and has returned to therotational orientation it occupied at the backwardmost position.Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, in which the longitudinalaxis of the secondary drive shaft 130 is angled approximately 10 degreeswith respect to the rotation axis of the wheel 128 (also in thisembodiment the longitudinal axis of the primary drive shaft 126), thestem 112 has swept through approximately 20 degrees of tilt angulationabout the center of rotation 301 (approximately 10 degrees backward and10 degrees forward), and the head adapter 110 has twice rotated aboutthe longitudinal axis of the stem 112 approximately 20 degrees (10degrees clockwise, then 20 degrees counterclockwise, and then 10 degreesclockwise again). It should be understood that manipulations of the headadapter (e.g., 110) effect the same manipulations on the secondcomponent (e.g., the ball 300) when they are fixed to one another inthis concentric configuration. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, inwhich the longitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft 130 is angledapproximately 10 degrees with respect to the rotation axis of the wheel128 (also in this embodiment the longitudinal axis of the primary driveshaft 126), the ball 300 has swept through approximately 20 degrees oftilt angulation in the tilt plane about the center of rotation 301(approximately 10 degrees backward and 10 degrees forward), and the ball300 has twice rotated, about a longitudinal axis of the ball 300 that iscollinear with the longitudinal axis of the stem 112, approximately 20degrees (10 degrees clockwise, then 20 degrees counterclockwise, andthen 10 degrees clockwise again).

The structure and/or components of the secondary drive shaft 130, and/orthe coupling of the first end of the secondary drive shaft 130 to thewheel 128, preferably allow the secondary drive shaft 130 to rotateabout a longitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft 130 and alsotranslate along its longitudinal axis with respect to the wheel 128.This allows the testing machine to compensate for the center of rotation(of the test device) being located out of alignment with thelongitudinal axis of the primary drive shaft. More particularly, as thetesting machine operates as described above, the effective length of thesecondary drive shaft 130 (the length between the wheel 128 and the headadapter 110) changes as the wheel 128 rotates because the head adapter110 tilts closer to and farther away from the wheel 128 during operationof the testing machine, and thus the second end of the secondary driveshaft 130 also moves closer to and farther away from the wheel 128during operation of the testing machine 100. Also as the testing machine100 operates as described above, the secondary drive shaft 130 must beallowed to rotate about its longitudinal axis with respect to the wheel128, so that the head adapter 110, as it is being manipulated by thesecondary drive shaft 130, does not tilt so far that the ball 300 isremoved from the pocket 202 of the baseplate 202.

Accordingly, preferably, the coupling of the first end of the secondarydrive shaft 130 to the wheel 128 includes the bearing 140 in the bore138 near the perimeter of the wheel 128, which bearing 140 permitslinear translation of the secondary drive shaft 130 within the bore 138(i.e., along the longitudinal axis of the secondary drive shaft 130) androtation of the secondary drive shaft 130 (about the longitudinal axisof the secondary drive shaft 130) with respect to the bore 138. Thebearing 140 thus maintains the first end of the secondary drive shaft130 within the bore 138 while permitting the first end of the secondarydrive shaft 130 to move as necessary during the operation of the testingmachine 100 as described above. Suitable bearings include, but are notlimited to, a Combination Linear and Rotary Motion Fixed-AlignmentBearing, available from McMaster-Carr Supply Company(http://www.mcmaster.com), as catalog numbers 6485K12, 6485K14, 6485K15and 6485K17, or from another parts supply company.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the first end of thesecondary drive shaft 130 is fixed to the outer region of the wheel 128,and the second end of the secondary drive shaft 130 is fixed to the cap114 of the head adapter 110, and the secondary drive shaft 130 includesan angle joint (not shown) that accommodates the angular offset of thesecondary drive shaft 130 relative to the primary drive shaft 126, andthe secondary drive shaft 130 further includes a coupling (not shown)that connects two portions of the secondary drive shaft 130, whichcoupling enables the portions to contract toward one another and expandaway from one another, as necessary for adjustment of the effectivelength of the secondary drive shaft 130 during operation of the testingmachine 100, and further enables the portions to rotate relative to oneanother about their longitudinal axes, as necessary to prevent theaforementioned removal of the ball 300 from the pocket 202 of thebaseplate 200 (due to an overtilting of the head adapter 110) duringoperation of the testing machine 100. Such couplings are known in theart and available, e.g., from the McMaster-Carr Supply Company(http://www.mcmaster.com) or another parts supply company. It should beunderstood that the secondary drive shaft 130 can be madelength-adjustable (or longitudinally translatable) and longitudinallyrotationally free relative to the wheel 128 through other configurationsand part combinations without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

While the articulation pattern of the ball 300 has been described asangulation about the center of rotation 301 in a tilt plane parallel tothe Y-Z plane during rotation about a longitudinal axis of the ball 300that remains in the tilt plane (as that longitudinal axis angulates inthe tilt plane with the ball 300 during the angulation of the ball 300),it should be understood that the angulation of the articulation canalternatively be described as being in two planes that are, for example,perpendicular to one another and intersect with one another at a line ofintersection that extends in the Z direction and is perpendicular to theaxis of rotation of the wheel 128. Therefore, the articulation patternwould include angulation about the center of rotation (e.g., 301) in afirst plane (e.g., a first of those planes), during angulation about thecenter of rotation (e.g., 301) in a second plane (e.g., a second ofthose planes), during rotation about a longitudinal axis of the secondcomponent (e.g., the ball 300) that remains in a third plane thatintersects the first and second planes at a line of intersection that isperpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel 128 (e.g., in thisembodiment the third plane is the above described tilt plane that isparallel to the Y-Z plane and includes the axis of rotation of the wheel128). Stated alternatively, for example, if the first and second planesare perpendicular to one another and disposed at respective convergentangles to the third plane, the angulation about the center of rotationin the first plane sweeps an angulation angle that is twice the angularoffset (of the longitudinal axis of the second drive shaft 130 relativeto the rotation axis of the wheel 128) multiplied by the cosine of theconvergent angle between the first plane and the third plane, and theangulation about the center of rotation in the second plane sweeps anangulation angle that is twice the angular offset (of the longitudinalaxis of the second drive shaft 130 relative to the rotation axis of thewheel 128) multiplied by the sine of the convergent angle between thefirst plane and the third plane. The rotation about the longitudinalaxis of the second component (e.g., the ball) still sweeps a rotationangle that is approximately double the angular offset of thelongitudinal axis of the second drive shaft 130 relative to the axis ofrotation of the wheel 128. Accordingly, it is understood that by varyingthe angular offset (e.g., of the longitudinal axis of the second driveshaft 130 relative to the rotation axis of the wheel 128), and byvarying the convergent angles of the first and second reference planes(e.g., reorienting the stationary component of the test device orotherwise adjusting the planes of interest relative to the rotation axisof the wheel 128), many desired articulation movements, in a number oforientations and with a number of sweep ranges, can be achieved and/ormeasured using the present invention. (It should be understood thatembodiments where these and other parameters of the apparatus areadjustable to enable a variety of uses for a given testing machine, arealso contemplated by the present invention.) In the illustratedembodiment, for example, if it is desirable to test the articulation ofthe joint in two planes to, e.g., more than 14 degrees in each plane,the angular offset of the axis of rotation of the wheel 128 and thelongitudinal axis of the second drive shaft 130 can be set at 10degrees, and the two planes can be referenced as perpendicular to oneanother and each at 45 degrees relative to the rotation axis of thewheel 128, in which case the ball 300 would be known by the abovedescribed mathematical relationship to articulate in one of those twoplanes a total of 2*10*cos(45)=14.142 degrees, and the other of thosetwo planes at a total of 2*10*sin(45)=14.142 degrees (which happen to bethe same in this case due to the equivalence of the 45 degree convergentangles). This setup is illustrated in the figures, which show the lowerbaseplate 200 being disposed at a 45 degree angle relative to therotation axis of the wheel 128. As another example, if the planes areset at 30 degrees and 60 degrees, respectively, relative to the rotationaxis of the wheel 128, and the angular offset of the longitudinal axisof the second drive shaft 130 is 15 degrees relative to the axis ofrotation of the wheel 128, then the ball 300 would be known by the abovedescribed mathematical relationship to articulate in one of those twoplanes a total of 2*15*cos(30)=25.981 degrees, and the other of thosetwo planes at a total of 2*15*sin(30)=15 degrees. It should beunderstood that these examples of alternate geometric frameworks areprovided to illustrate the utility of the invention to enablemeasurement of the joint performance, and/or ensure sufficientangulation and/or rotation of the joint components, in multiple planesand axes using appropriate mathematical equations to quantify therelationship of the angulations and rotations relative to the rotationaxis of the wheel 128 and the other geometric reference pointsdiscussed, and that other geometric frameworks can be referenced asnecessary to achieve desired performance, measurements, or evaluations.For example, reference planes that are not perpendicular to one anotheror to the rotation axis of the wheel 128 are also contemplated, as wellas multiple planes that are in various orientations relative to oneanother and to the rotation axis of the wheel 128.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the motion of thehead adapter 110 can be controlled by placing motion control structures(e.g., panels, flanges, protuberances, or the like, adjacent (and/orattached to) the head adapter 110 or another part of the testingapparatus 100. For example, two panels can be disposed in parallel toone another and parallel to the Y-Z plane direction, on either side ofthe head adapter 110 (i.e., spaced apart from one another in the Xdirection). They can be disposed on either side of the head adapter 110to interfere with the movement of the head adapter 110 caused by theoperation of the motor 124, which interference causes the head adapter110 to move in the desired manner, or prevent the head adapter 110 frommoving in an undesirable manner.

For some uses of the testing apparatus of the present invention, it maybe desirable to submerge the test device in a liquid so that any weardebris generated as a result of the articulation of the components ofthe test device during the testing procedure can be captured and lateranalyzed. Embodiments of the testing apparatus of the present inventionfor use in these cases (and others) include additional elements usefulto help accomplish this. While any suitable additional elements in thisregard are contemplated by the present invention, FIGS. 8 a-b illustratetwo examples of such components adapted for use with the testingapparatus 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 a-e. More particularly, FIG. 8 ashows certain elements of the testing apparatus 100 (each identified byits respective reference number), as well as a cylindrical tank 142mounted on the support block 104 and surrounding the testing block 106to a height greater than the height of the components (plate 200 andball 300) of the test device (other tanks or other structures of othershapes, sizes and configurations can alternatively or additionally beused without departing from the scope of the present invention), so thatthe components can be completely submerged in the debris-capturingsubstance. A seal is provided between the cylindrical tank 142 and theblock 104 by a rubber o-ring 144 (other suitable elements for providinga seal between the tank 142 and the support bock 104 against thedebris-capturing substance in the tank 142 can alternatively oradditionally be used without departing from the scope of the presentinvention). This is illustrated in FIG. 8 b (which shows the sameconfiguration but without the tank 142 so that the o-ring 144 can beviewed). Accordingly, debris from the test device can be captured in asubstance (not shown) in the tank 142, and later removed from the tank142 for analysis. One or more holes (not shown) in the tank 142 can beprovided for introduction or removal of the capturing substance, inconjunction with appropriate hoses and pumps, in manners known in theart.

Inasmuch as simple rotation of the wheel 128 in the illustratedembodiment effects the desired articulation (with the simple adjustmentof the angular offset (of the longitudinal axis of the second driveshaft 130) effect the desired angles for angulation and rotation), andthe loading is distinct from the drive assembly, the present inventionis shown to be simple in function, and easily adjustable to a variety ofuses for testing not only spinal joints, but also hip, knee, and otherjoints.

While there have been described and illustrated specific embodiments ofinstrumentation, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvariations and modifications are possible without deviating from thebroad spirit and principle of the invention. The invention, therefore,shall not be limited to the specific embodiments discussed herein.

1. A method of testing an articulating implant comprising: mounting afirst part of the implant on a support structure; mounting a second partof the implant on an adapter; and moving the adapter to producearticulation between the first part and the second part, wherein themovement of the adapter imparts positionally and angularlynon-equivalent articulation to the second part as compared to themovement of the adaptor.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingthe steps of: dynamically altering the movement of the adapter to impartpositionally and angularly non-equivalent articulation to the secondpart as compared to the movement of the adaptor.
 3. The method of claim2, wherein the step of dynamically altering the movement of the adaptercomprises exaggerating, multiplying, enhancing, diminishing, decreasing,varying or making random the movement of the adapter as compared to thesecond component.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepsof: coupling a load assembly with the adapter; applying a load onto theadapter via an air compressor; and coupling a drive assembly with theadapter, wherein operation of the drive assembly causes angulation androtation of the adapter, which in turn causes angulation and rotation ofthe first part and the second part of the implant relative to oneanother.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of applying a loadcomprises compressing the first part and the second part togetherbetween the adapter and a testing block.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the first part is spherical.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe angular articulation is about the center of the first part.
 8. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the step of applying a load comprises:applying a first load; and applying a second load.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the first load is applied in first direction and thesecond load is applied in a second direction.
 10. The method of claim 4,further comprising the step of: submerging at least the first part andthe second part in a liquid to capture any wear debris produced by thearticulation between first part and the second part.
 11. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the articulating implant is selected from a groupconsisting of an artificial intervertebral disc joint, a hip joint and aknee joint.
 12. A method of testing an articulating implant comprising:mounting a first part of the implant on a support structure; mounting asecond part of the implant on an adapter; moving the adapter to producearticulation between the first part and the second part; and wherein themovement of the adapter imparts positionally and angularly equivalentarticulation to the second part as compared to the movement of theadaptor.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:coupling a load assembly with the adapter; applying a load onto theadapter via an air compressor; and coupling a drive assembly with theadapter, wherein operation of the drive assembly causes angulation androtation of the adapter, which in turn causes angulation and rotation ofthe first part and the second part of the implant relative to oneanother.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of applying a loadcomprises compressing the first part and the second part togetherbetween the adapter and a testing block.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the first part is spherical.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe angular articulation is about the center of the first part.
 17. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the step of applying a load comprises:applying a first load; and applying a second load.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the first load is applied in first direction and thesecond load is applied in a second direction.
 19. The method of claim13, further comprising the step of: submerging at least the first partand the second part in a liquid to capture any wear debris produced bythe articulation between first part and the second part.
 20. The methodof claim 13, wherein the articulating implant is selected from a groupconsisting of an artificial intervertebral disc joint, a hip joint and aknee joint.